8. G0D-BREATHED
Dr. Earl Parvin
11/4/21
Then the Lord GOD formed a man from the dust of the ground and BREATHED into his nostrils the BREATH OF LIFE, and the man became a living being [GENESIS 2:7].
All Scripture is GOD-BREATHED [NIV]and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, [2 Timothy 3:16].
GENESIS 2:7
This phrase is used twice in the Scriptures as quoted above, once in each Testament. In the Hebrew Old Testament the Trinity was creating man, the word for God was Elohim, the Three-In-One, Godhead. The Voice of Elohim was all that was necessary to put life into THEIR CREATED MAN’s body assembled from life-less “dust of the ground” which was created when Jesus, the Creative Son of the Architect said, “Let it appear” and man became a LIVING BEING. [Gen.1:9].
The Hebrew words used for “God-breathed” is “yapack”, “nishmath hayyam”, “the breath of life”. I am reminded when a child is born or delivered from his watery world of nine months without breathing, for a world in which he must immediately fill his latent lungs with air through his nostrils, that is exactly what the Hebrew is seeking to convey: God breathed a puff of air in to the nostrils which became the breath of life for the man, a human being kind not an animal kind.
II TIMOTHY 3:16
Now my mind quickly turns to the New Testament record of the creation [writing] of God’s Word which is also God-Breathed. The Greek term translated God-breathed is [theopneustos] a compound word meaning “theos” = God, plus “pneustos” = breath hard [sounds like to puff as above, whatever, it is Divine action]. Inspiration is not dictation. In each of the written books the personality of the writer shows through, but the inspiration of that which is being written is accurate.
The Bible writers were Servants of the Living God who were said to be “Holy Men of God “carried along” [NIV or “moved” KJV] by the Holy Spirit” [II Peter 1:21]. The Greek term “enengko” = means to carry or bear. So, the thoughts of the writer were inspired “born along” by the Holy Spirit. Thus we Christians are empowered to interpret the Word by the same Holy Spirit interpretation.
So I conclude both Testaments corroborate each other although taking place in different eras, cultures, languages and scribes, i.e. Moses & Paul. There is one theme and message. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ the only Son of God who took your sin penalty and God His Father was satisfied. That makes the believer a joint heir with Christ who is seated by the Father as our Advocate when we stand before the Judge of the earth.
SUMMARY
May I note that our Advocate as He finished His Father’s will for His work on earth, the cross, on which he gave His life for us [Jn 6:38 “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”] I am overwhelmed to recognize the same Breath which gave life to Adam, is the same Breath which He gave for our sins! Mark 15:37 and Luke 23:46 speak of Christ’s last words on the cross, Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
Finally I note that our wonderful Savior promised His disciples that He was going to the Father to prepare a place for them that where He was they would be also. And He would return for them [Jn 14:2-3]. In the meantime He would send them the Comforter. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever” Jn. 14:16. But that is not all. Look at this gift He gave them on His parting: 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he BREATHED ON THEM and said,“Receive the Holy Spirit”. [Jn 20:21-22].
What a GOD we serve! We as believers also are temples of the same Holy Spirit. “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” [Acts 2:38].
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;” [1 Cor. 6:19].
As we complete this study of God Breathing into man the breath of life, I am reminded that the Scriptures state that “Life is in the Blood” [Leviticus 17:11]. What is the connection? Is there a connection? A new study beckons entitled “The Breath of Life”.